MONMOUTHSHIRE is celebrating 10 years since it became a Fairtrade County and to remind residents, visitors and shoppers about its proud status, newly installed car park signs have been branded with the Fairtrade logo.

Fairtrade means that farmers and producers in developing countries have been paid fairly for their work, they receive a guaranteed minimum price, decent working conditions, good environmental standards and are paid a community premium which groups can choose to spend on schools, clean water or health care.

Councillor Bryan Jones, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for county operations said: “Monmouthshire is proud to have been a Fairtrade County for a decade.  We were due to replace all the signs in our car parks so this was a great opportunity to incorporate the Fairtrade logos.  We’re grateful to Fair Trade Wales who made a financial contribution towards the cost of logos on the new signs.”

Julia Parsons and Janet Banks, volunteers with the Fairtrade Chepstow group said: “It’s great that people parking in Monmouthshire’s car parks will be reminded that they are visiting a Fairtrade town or county.  Many traders in our towns work hard to make sure that they sell or serve Fairtrade products and they want their suppliers to be paid fairly, so it is good to raise the profile of Fairtrade through the new signs.”

For further details about Fairtrade activities in Monmouthshire go to www.monmouthshirefairtrade.org.uk